(A) Appointment; term, compensation. If at any time, in the opinion of the Mayor, extra police officers are necessary for the protection of persons and property or for the preservation of the peace and order, he or she shall appoint such number of extra police officers as, in his or her judgment, are necessary. Any extra police officer so appointed shall hold office during the term for which he or she was appointed, unless sooner removed from his or her office by the Mayor or Council, and shall have the same power to arrest persons as is exercised by the Chief of Police and shall have general power to preserve the peace and order of the city. For their services, such extra police officers shall receive such sum as the Mayor shall prescribe. All members of the Police Department shall not be less than 18 nor more than 45 years of age on the date of his or her application; provided, however, persons qualifying for appointment by reinstatement may be over 45 years of age.
(B) Indemnity bond. The Mayor shall require each such special officer to give bond in the penalty of not less than $3,500 with good security approved by the Mayor, conditioned that such special officer shall indemnify and save the city harmless on account of any unlawful or improper acts done by him or her and to satisfy and pay any damages that may be sustained by any person by reason of any unlawful or improper act done by him or her while acting as such special police officer; and, if he or she is authorized to carry a firearm, his or her bond shall be in amount not less than the amount specified in § 30.01(C), and with the additional condition specified in § 30.01(C).
(C) Provisional or part-time paid officers. The city shall have the authority and shall be permitted to hire provisional or part-time paid police officers for periods of employment exceeding three months, provided said provisional or part-time paid police officers shall:
(1) Already be certified and trained police officers, through the West Virginia State Police Academy and practical experience; and
(2) Shall not be employed by the city for more than 1,040 hours during any one calendar year.
(1991 Code, § 14-4) (Ord. 205, passed 1-7-2016; Ord. 207, passed 4-7-2016; Ord. 241, passed 6-15-2017; Ord. 260, passed 5-2-2019)
Statutory reference:
Authority of city to require bonds of its officers, see W.Va. Code § 8-12-5(46)
Bonds of public officers generally, see W.Va. Code §§ 6-2-1 et seq.
Bonds required of police officers, see W.Va. Code § 61-7-5
Requirement that municipal officers who handle public funds give bond, see W.Va. Code § 6-2-11